South West Healthcare has opened a non-judgemental mental and emotional support hotline for people needing assistance during the coronavirus pandemic. Mental Health Services team manager Nicholas Place said the initiative came about as a perceived community need. "This gives people the opportunity to speak with a professional in their local community who has local knowledge of services," he said. "We value the national hotlines but some of them may not be aware of our local material aids and services people can access for support. "While the hotline may not resolve this issue, it can put people in contact with local services." The hotline opened on Monday and South West Healthcare's mental health and social work team will be receiving calls between 1- 5pm Monday to Friday. The team expects as time goes on, the hotline will become busier. "There's an anticipation that as more awareness builds, we will be more in demand," Mr Place said. "I think depending on restrictions and if there are community transmissions, we may see a significant need for the service. "We're likely to see the number of people seeing their GPs increase and talking about their experiences. As unemployment numbers increase, people will be able to access more services and utilise existing community services. "If someone calls outside of hours, they will hear options for a range of different concerns and be transferred to other manned services. "We'll be repeating our messages about where people should seek help." For anyone needing support, contact the hotline on 1800 965 144. Listen to the latest episode of our weekly episode The Booletin and Beyond: Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.

South West Healthcare has launched a community support hotline amid the coronavirus pandemic

A CALL AWAY: South West Healthcare social workers Kerri-Lee Jones and Kerri Henriksen with mental health team manager Nicholas Place are pleased to open the hospital's support hotline. Picture: Mark Witte

South West Healthcare has opened a non-judgemental mental and emotional support hotline for people needing assistance during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mental Health Services team manager Nicholas Place said the initiative came about as a perceived community need.

"This gives people the opportunity to speak with a professional in their local community who has local knowledge of services," he said.

"We value the national hotlines but some of them may not be aware of our local material aids and services people can access for support.

At the best of times people don't know how to navigate the system and COVID-19 has compounded this

Nicholas Place

"While the hotline may not resolve this issue, it can put people in contact with local services."

The hotline opened on Monday and South West Healthcare's mental health and social work team will be receiving calls between 1- 5pm Monday to Friday.

The team expects as time goes on, the hotline will become busier.

"There's an anticipation that as more awareness builds, we will be more in demand," Mr Place said.

"I think depending on restrictions and if there are community transmissions, we may see a significant need for the service.

"We're likely to see the number of people seeing their GPs increase and talking about their experiences. As unemployment numbers increase, people will be able to access more services and utilise existing community services.

"If someone calls outside of hours, they will hear options for a range of different concerns and be transferred to other manned services.

"We'll be repeating our messages about where people should seek help."

For anyone needing support, contact the hotline on 1800 965 144.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly episode The Booletin and Beyond:

Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.